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Taking proper care of your car requires so much knowledge and attention to detail. Tracking routine maintenance, getting mileage related services and even choosing the right gas will keep you on your toes if you want your car to last. When it comes to selecting fuel, a little understanding can go a long way. This quick guide will explain the differences in gasoline ratings so you can make informed decisions that keep your car running at its best.

The first thing to understand is what an octane rating really is. When you go to the station, there are usually a few different options that might be ok for your car. While you know to avoid diesel or other specialty fuels, is there really an advantage to choosing premium over regular? Answering that question starts by looking at the number associated with those different gasses. You may already know this, but the number refers to the octane rating. Higher numbers will cost more, and it’s usually the biggest difference in the premium levels.

So how does a higher octane rating help your car? The short answer is that it doesn’t. Unless your engine is specifically designed to run at a specific octane, you can use the lowest rating without fear. However, if you have a luxury or sport edition vehicle, double check the owner’s manual to see what rating is recommended. Engines designed for higher octane often get better gas mileage with the premium gas. There are several factors that contribute to this, but the primary reason is that higher octane fuels burn at slightly higher pressures, so when an engine is designed around those higher operating pressures, you get improved efficiency.

Even if your car does recommend a certain octane, driving lower rated fuel is unlikely to hurt the engine. Ultimately it’s best to experiment and use the fuel that gets the most mileage. The improved performance lets you know that the car is running as designed.

To make sure your car is protected from more than just fuel choices, check in with Insurance Center of Green Valley. A representative can make sure you have coverage that will take care of you when you need it most.

Recycling has reached a point where it is possible to reuse just about anything. However, it can be tricky to know what to do with it or if you’ll simply be turned away. At Insurance Center of Green Valley, we want to make sure you know what you can recycle that you might not be currently. Whether you live in Green Valley, AZ or somewhere else in the state, here are a handful of objects you can recycle.

Carpet

Yes, after you go through a home renovation it is possible to recycle the carpeting. Instead of tossing it out, you can check out Carpet America Recovery Effort. The organization will take your carpet and recycle it for you. Most of the fabric is made from plastic and can be reused in other forms.

Crayons

Nobody really uses all of a crayon. Typically, it is used down to a nub and discarded. However, instead of tossing the waxy object into the trash, you can send these objects out to Crazy Crayons, where the wax is recycled to create new crayons.

Bras

Have a box full of old bras you have no use for? You’d probably be surprised as to what you can do with the undergarment. If you haven’t been able to sell the bras through garage sales, you can head over to the Bra Recyclers website. This organization takes gently used bras and distributes the clothing to women around the world who might not normally be able to afford them. As long as it is gently used, they will take your bras, ranging from dress to sport bras.

Christmas Tree

Alright, this is something you’ll only be able to recycle once, at most, per year, but in Arizona especially it is easy to do. There are nearby locations that will pick up your tree and then strip it down and turn it into firewood.